Counter



Aug. 31, 1965 R. J. SCRANTON 3,203,626

COUNTER Filed Feb. 20, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 m5 6 FIG. I

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INVENTOR. ROBERT J. SCRANTON ATTORNEY 1, 1965 R. J. SCRANTON 3,203,626

COUNTER Filed Feb. 20, 1963 6 51 3 -3 2 FIG. 2

INVENTOR ROBERT J. SCRANTON ATTORNEY 31, 1965 R. J. SCRANTON 3,203,625

COUNTER Filed Feb. 20, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. ROBERT J. SCRANTON ATTORNEY Aug. 31, 1965 R, J. SCRANTON 3,203,626

v COUNTER Filed Feb. 20, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 6 (ID @1, ROB RT awsi.

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ATTORNEY Aug. 31, 1965 Filed Feb. 20, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. ROBERT J. SCRANTON ATTORNEY Aug. 31, 1965 Filed Feb. 20, 1963 R. J. SCRANTON COUNTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 CONTROLLED APPARATUS l I77 I I I l I l9?!) I I I9l I ii I |75 l I I I H70: I i G g I I :9? HOLDING MECHANISM 33 ""j mwum. szr

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ROBERT J. SCRANTON FIG. 9

ATTORNEY United States Patent This invention relates to counters for controlling manipulative or manufacturing operations such as sheet printing, and especially to an improved counter permitting easy setting preferably by push buttons, and in the preferred form of the invention, a counter which is also capable of an automatic resetting feature.

Counters of customary construction which provide high flexibility of operation and/ or convenient push-button setting arrangment, normally function by means of electric counting elements and accordingly are exceedingly expensive;

It is an object of the present invention to provide a counter of great inherent flexibility, such that it (1) readily lends itself to push-button operation where predetermined counter operation is desired, (2) can be readily adapted to automatic resetting operation, (3) can be readily extended to additional decimal places if desired, (4) can have a subsequent count magnitude determined at times other than after completion of a count, and which enjoys this flexibility without resorting to costly electric counting expedients.

Another object of the invention in certain applications is the provision of a predetermined counter which can be conditioned for a subsequent count while a previously set count is being executed, and without disturbing the execution of the previously set count.

The foregoing objects are achieved by constructing a counter which relies primarily on an escapement mechanism which allows a toothed wheel to escape one tooth for each count signal. The tooth escapement may be readily controlled by electrical means, so that enlargement of the counter is simply effected by merely adding an additional escapement for each digit and wiring the escapement control for each digit to an output related to a predetermined position of the toothed wheel of the digit of the next lower order.

As to certain aspects of the invention a reversible electric motor is made to serve both as the means for urging the toothed wheel or toothed wheels in a counting direction, and as a means for effecting rapid setting or resetting of the counter to beginning position for initiation of a count.

Additional objects, features and advantages will appear hereinafter as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan of a counter in accordance with the present invention, showing the same in two-digit form;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the device of FIG. 1, taken from the right-hand side thereof and looking towards the left;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but omitting the drive elements and showing the counter proper to a larger scale and with parts in section;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation to a reduced scale of the counter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a section taken substantially on line 5--5 of FIG. 3, but showing the counter on a slightly reduced scale with one of the push buttons in operated position;

FIG. 6 is a section taken substantially on line 66 of FIG. 5, but to a slightly larger scale;

FIG. 7 is a section taken substantially on line 77 of FIG. 3, but drawn to a larger scale;

3,203,626 Patented Aug. 31, 1965 FIG. 8 is a detail section taken substantially on line 88 of FIG. 3, but showing the parts in slightly different position with the contacts open; and

'FIG. 9 is a schematic showing of the apparatus of the invention and showing an exemplary wiring arrangement for use therewith.

Referring to the drawing, the counter of the present invention, in the form presently preferred, includes a pair of digit assemblies 11 and 11' each made up of a frame constructed of plates 13a, 13b, 13c, and posts 15a and 15b. In this instance the assembly 11 is a units assembly and assembly 11' is a tens assembly, and these are joined by mounting each to a single main plate 19 by means of post 17.

The parts carried by the frames of assemblies 11 and 11 are identical so that they will be referred to by the same numerals and only those appearing on assembly 11 will be discussed in detail.

With particular reference to FIG. 3 the frame of assembly 11 carries a central operating shaft 21 rotatable in suitable bushings 23 and 25 in plates 13a and 13c (see also FIG. 6) At its rear end the shaft is equipped with a pinion 27 which has a slippable driving connection therewith by virtue of a friction clutch 29. The letter comprises plates 31 and 33 drivingly connected with shaft 21 through pin 35, friction plates 37, spring washer 39, and nut 41 for adjusting the pressure exerted by spring 39 and hence the grip of friction plates 37 on pinion 27.

At the front end of shaft 21 is an indicator means comprising disk or dial 43 secured to shaft 21 for rotation therewith, and carrying numerals 45 (FIG. 4). The counter will be customarily provided with a housing (not shown) having an index opening exposing the numerals 45 one at a time to provide a visual indication of the progression of a counting operation.

The operative counting element is a toothed rotor or ratchet wheel 47 secured to the shaft 21 midway of its length and provided with ten teeth 49 (see FIG. 7) spaced in accordance with the location of the numerals 45 on disk 43. The toothed wheel 47 carries a one-way stop lever 51 pivoted thereto at 53 and urged to outermost position by a spring 55 anchored on a pin 56. This outermost position is determined by one arm of the lever 51 striking against the hub 57 of the toothed wheel 47.

Cooperating with the toothed wheel 47 is an escapement consisting of a lever 59 pivoted on a post 60 and having two arms 61 and 63 each provided with a tooth (65 and 67 respectively) designed for engagement with the teeth 49 of wheel 47 in the usual manner. In FIG. 7, the escapement lever is shown in the rest position in solid lines and in the actuated position in broken lines.

It will be noted that the stop faces of the teeth on wheel 47 are arranged to abut tthe teeth 65 and 67 of the e capement lever when the wheel seeks to rotate counterclockwise and prevent such rotation except for the toothby-tooth escapement action. In the other direction of rotation of wheel 47, the teeth on the wheel are so shaped that they idle past the escapement teeth with a ratcheting action.

The escapement lever 59 also includes a third arm 69 which is actuated by a trip mechanism. As shown the arm is rockably connected to the armature 71 of an actuating solenoid 73. A spring acts on the armature 71 to hold the same extended and thereby maintain the escapement 59 in its rest position. When the solenoid 73 in energized it will be seen that the lever 59 is swung thereby through a small angle to its operated position. and each complete reciprocation of the solenoid allows the toothed wheel 47 to escape a distance equal to that between teeth, assuming the wheel 47 to be urged in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 7.

The toothed wheel 47 and shaft 21 are, in fact, normally continuously urged in a counterclockwise direction by driving means meshing with the pinion 27 at the rear end of shaft 21. This is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such driving means includes a gear 77 which, in the form shown, meshes with a drives both pinions 27, one for each of the two counter assemblies 11 and 11, and which is in turn driven by an electric motor 79 through a transmission 81. The motor 79 is reversible so that the shafts 21 can be driven in their normal counter-clockwise direction (FIG. 7) or at certain times in a clockwise direction as desired.

Each of the counter assemblies has associated with it two switches, one related to the counting function and one related to controlling an external apparatus. FIGS. 3, 7 and 8 illustrated these switches to the best advantage. It is immaterial which switch is employed for which function, since they are actuated simultaneously, but switch 81 may be regarded as the counting switch and includes a fixed contact 83, and a movable contact 85 on flexible blade 87. The latter is equipped with a follower button 89 coacting with an operating pin 91 affixed to the toothed wheel 47 and arranged to close switch 81 in one particular peripheral position thereof, specifically that representing a zero reading on dial 43. For convenience the pin 91 is constructed as an extension of spring anchor 56. Switch 93 may be considered the control switch and comprises a fixed contact 95 and a movable contact 97 on flexible blade 99. An insulating link element 101 connecting the blades 87 and 99 insures that both switches are operated simultaneously.

The positioning or setting of each counting apparatus for a predetermined count is accomplished with the help of a push-button assembly 103. This is arranged to be supported primarily by plates 13a and 13b and includes ten push-button elements 105 arranged in a circle about shaft 21 with each button slidably mounted in a pair of openings in said plates. With particular reference to FIGS. and 6, each push-button element 105 includes a cam enlargement 107 midway of its length, one end of which acts as a stop against the plate 13a to limit forward motion of the button, and the other end of which serves as a rest for one end of a compression spring 109 acting between the enlargement and plate 13b to urge the push button 105 towards its forward or projected position.

The surfaces of the cam enlargements 107 are designed for cooperation with a latch plate 111 which surrounds the shaft 21 and is mounted for rotational movement through a limited angle by means of curved slots 113 each cooperating with suitable guide means on one of the posts a. The periphery of latch plate 111 is provided with ten latch projections 115, each arranged to cooperate in a latching relationship with the forwardmost end surface of the enlargement 107 on a corresponding push button 105. Means is provided for urging the latch plate towards latching position, and in the form shown comprises a torsion spring 117 coiled about one of the posts 15a with an arm 119 reacting against another of the posts 15a and hooked arm 121 entering one of the openings 113 in latch plate 111 to urge the same clockwise as seen in FIG. 5.

From FIGS. 5 and 6 it can be seen that when any one of the push buttons 105 is depressed, its cam enlargement 107 will cam the latch plate 111 aside until the enlargement has passed the plane of the latch plate, whereupon the latch plate will be returned to normal or latching position by spring 117 with its projection 115 lying in front of the corresponding enlargement 107 of the particular button 105 which was pushed, thereby latching the same in rearward or operated position. If one of the buttons 105 is in latched position and a second button 105 is pushed this will, of course, swing the latch plate as a whole, thereby releasing the original button and allowing it to snap to forward or unoperated position under the influence of its spring 109. It will be noted that at the forward end of each enlargement 107 there is provided a radius or short forwardly sloping surface 108 which has the effect of insuring such release of previously depressed buttons during latching of a new button. The maximum girth of the enlargement 107 on a button being depressed is suflicient to insure that the latch plate is thrown far enough to at least cause the projection 115, corresponding to any previously depressed button, to seek a position somewhere on the radius 108 of that button. The springs 117 and 109 are so designed relative to one another that once this camming surface or radius 108 has been attained by the projection 115, the force of spring 109 is sufficient to continue the axial throw of button and, if necessary, cam aside the latch plate 111 against the force of spring 117 a small amount, just enough to allow the push button to restore itself to normal or forwardly projected position.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 6, whenever a push button 105 is in latched position, its rear end 106 projects rearwardly to a degree suflicient to lie in the path of stop lever 51 in such a position that it can act as a positioning stop against which the tip of the lever 51 can impinge during its orbital movement produced by the rotation of toothed wheel 47. In FIG. 7 the locations of these push-button tips or stops 106 are indicated in broken lines. It can be seen therefore that whenever the shaft 21 and toothed wheel 47 are allowed to move in a counting direction as indicated by arrow C, the orbiting stop lever 51 will not take effect but will merely idle past any of the stops 106 which happen to be in its path by virtue of the motion permitted it by the spring 55. On the other hand, whenever the shaft 21 and toothed wheel 47 are rotated in the direction of arrow S, referred to herein as the setting direction, then if one of the stops 106 is in rearward position, the tip of stop lever 51 will strike the stop and, by reaction against the hub of toothed Wheel 47 prevent any further rotation of the shaft 21 or wheel 47 in the said direction, the motor 79, however, being allowed to continue its rotation through the offices of the corresponding slip clutch 29.

Turning to FIG. 9, one way of applying the counter of the invention is there illustrated schematically showing a tens frame 11' and a units frame 11 with their shafts 21 driven by the common electric motor 79. The motor is connected to the main L L by conductors 151, 153 and reversing switch 155. The position of switch 155 shown in the drawing is assumed to be that which will rotate the motor 79 in the counting direction per arrows C, and the other position is that which will bring about rotation in a setting direction per arrows S. A spring 157 preferably maintains the switch 155 in the counting position shown. A manually operated button 159 may be used to control switch 155, or alternatively a solenoid 161 powered from L and L by conductors 163 and 165 under the control of a switch 167 may be used to control switch 155. A main on-off switch 169 may be provided in one of the mains L L outside the connection for motor 79 if desired.

Switches 81 and 93 in each unit frame are both arranged to be closed by the pin 91 whenever the correspondingindicator wheel 43 is precisely at its zero position. A count circuit means includes a conductor 170, 171 connecting the main L with counting switch 81 of the units frame and includes a switch 173 which is arranged to be closed by any suitable driving connection 175 with the mechanism 177 which the counter of the invention is intended to control, and which is hereinafter referred to as the controlled apparatus. The connection 175 is so arranged that switch 173 will be closed once for each motion of the apparatus 177 which it is desired to count. A branching conductor 179 connects the conductor with the main L and includes solenoid 73 of the units frame. The other side of counting switch 81 on the units frame is connected by a conductor 181 with an output tap 183 on the units frame 11. This output tap is connected with the output tap 183 on the tens frame 11' by a conductor 185 which is opened or closed by the counting switch 81 on the tens frame. This particular conductor 185 and tens counting switch 81 are not used in'the arrangement shown but are available in case it is desired to extend the device to include additional digits, as will presently appear. A branching conductor 187 connects the output tap 183 of the units frame with the main L and includes solenoid 73 of the tens frame.

The controlling of the controlled apparatus 177 is brought about by a control circuit means including a conductor 189 which connects the mains L and L via a controlling solenoid 191 and both switches 93, all in series. A suitable connection 193, mechanical or otherwise, serves to stop or otherwise control apparatus 177 whenever the solenoid 191 is energized.

The operation of the device can best be understood, perhaps, by reference to FIG. 9, wherein it will be seen that closing on-off switch 169 starts the motor 79 in the direction of arrow C and thereby places the counter in condition for operation. Whenever the controlled apparatus performs an operation of the kind to be counted, the switch 173 will be closed and then opened. This momentarily completes a count circuit means and sends a pulse via c nductors 170 and 179 through solenoid 73 of the units assembly thereby permitting one tooth of the wheel 47 to escape in the counting direction under the urging of motor 79 through slip clutch 29. The tooth, of course, escapes in two steps of one-half tooth each, one when the solenoid is energized, and the other when it is deenergized. This will reduce the indication shown by dial 43 on the end of the units shaft 21 by a value of one, and normally this will be the ony occurrence until the next counting pulse given by switch 173. However at one portion of the operation of units shaft 21, units pin 91 also coacts with units switch 81 during the count signal to close the same and elfect a carrying operation. This occurs in the following manner. Closing of switch 173 with the units indicator in 1 position permits units wheel 47 to rotate one-half step from its 1 position where it stops temporarily, with units switch 81 still open. When switch 173 opens, units wheel 47 makes the other one-half tooth motion, moving to 0 position and closing switch 81. No circuit is completed therethrough, however, because switch 173 in series therewith is open at this time. The counter then reads 10. At the next closing of switch 173 the units pin 91 moves one-half tooth from O position and in so doing it just clears units switch 81 allowing it to open. Before this happens, however, units switch 81 and switch 173 have an overlapping period of closure during which a pulse via conductors 181, 187 and tens solenoid 73 allows tens wheel 47 to escape one tooth so that the tens reading changes from 1 to 0. When switch 173 completes its cycle and reopens, the units wheel 47 is allowed to move the other half tooth to 9 and the counter therefore reads 09.

When the tens shaft has reached its 0 or control position, the tens pin 91 will also close the tens switch 93 and hold it closed. The units counter will continue its decreasing steps in response to the pulses from switch 173 until it too reaches 0 or control position, whereupon units switch 93 is closed by units pin 91. With both switches 93 closed, a control circuit is completed via conductor 189 and solenoid 191, and energization of the latter trips the controlled apparatus 177 by means of connection 193 to stop operation thereof, or perform whatever function was desired at the expiration of the count. Normally this will cause a cessation of whatever motion causes the pulse-generating action of switch 173 so that the counting action stops at this point.

Although the equipment described is in certain of its aspects capable of operating as an ascending counter, provided the numerals on indicator disks 43 are correctly ordered, the form shown is intended primarily as a descending or predetermined counter which can be readily conditioned for a predetermined count by push-button action. Thus, if it is desired to have the controlled apparatus 177 operate twelve times, for example, the operator pushes button 1 on the tens counter and button 2 on the units counter, and these latch themselves in the depressed or operated position as previously described. He then operates the manual set button 159 to place the contacts of switch in reversing position so that motor 79 rotates in the setting direction as indicated by arrow S. Both shafts 21 are thus rotated clockwise as indicated by arrows S. This rotation is without hindrance from the escapement levers, since the teeth on wheels 47 are shaped to ratchet past the escapements in this direction of rotation. The tens counter rotates clockwise only until its stop lever 51 strikes the projecting end or stop 106 of its "1 push button, and thereafter the drive slips at clutch 29. The units counter rotates clockwise only until its stop lever 51 strikes the projecting end or stop 106 of its 2 push button, and thereafter its drive slips at clutch 29. When the set button 159 is released the switch 155 is returned to normal position by spring 157 and motor 79 comes to rest and immediately starts to rotate in the count direction (counterclockwise) as indicated by arrow C. The shafts 21 are, however, retained in their set position due to the engagement of the teeth of wheels 47 with their respective escapement levers 59. The dials 43 then show a combined reading of 12 and the device is ready to start counting. When the controlled apparatus 177 is started, pulses at switch 173 are generated and the counting operation previously described takes place until both counter units reach 0 or control position and the con trolled apparatus is shut down via solenoid 193, at which time the preset number of operations, twelve in this case, will have taken place.

If it is desired to have another twelve operations in the next series, the counter is merely reset by pushing button 159 or by closing switch 167 to energize solenoid 161. The latter may also be arranged for automatic triggering by a suitable holding connection 197 between solenoid 191 and switch 167 which first closes and then a short time later opens switch 167, or perhaps by a signal of sufiicient duration generated by some motion of the controlled apparatus 1'77 dependent upon and subsequent to the operation of solenoid 191.

One feature of the counter of the present invention is that the status of its count determining elements or push buttons may be fixed at the operators convenience, even while a formerly set count is in progress. Thus if a count of twelve is in progress and the operator decides that the next subsequent count should be fifteen, he merely pushes the 5 button on the unit frame automatically releasing the 2 button as heretofore described. This does not affect the count in progress which will only be terminated by the reaching of 0 positions by both tens and units counters. If the units stop lever 51 should encounter the projected end 106 of the 5 button in its circuit, it will merely idle past it as with any projected push button which is encountered during movement in a counting direction. Then when the twelve count in progress is completed, a setting operation using button 159 or switch 167 will return the counter to a 15 reading ready to make a new count in that amount.

One particular application for which the counter of the present invention is particularly well adapted is the control of an automatic printing or duplicating operation. Thus if the controlled apparatus 177 is, for example, an offset planographic duplicator with automatic loading -eatures, it is possible to start up the equipment and have it perform any desired number of short runs of equal length without intervention of an operator except to replenish the supply of paper. Such a machine may have an automatic preparation cycle such that it feeds out a new pre-imaged master from a supply thereof, attaches it to the master cylinder, conditions it for printing, and then generates a cycle-completed signal which starts a printing run. With the counter of the present invention it is possible to preset the desired number of copies by pushing the proper push buttons 105 and the set button 159 and then merely start the machine 177 allowing it to run indefinitely. Each time a cycle-completed signal is generated by the machine it starts the normal printing operation which, through actuation of switch 173, sends counting pulses to the counter Whenever a sheet is printed. When the counter runs down to a reading in both digits, the solenoid Hill is energized to stop the printing operation and initiate a new preparation cycle. At the same time, the counter is caused to reset itself either via connection such as 197 or through some appropriate signal initiated by the printing machine during its preparation cycle. The whole procedure thus described will then repeat itself as long as a supply of pre-imaged masters and paper is presented to the machine and until the ink and moisture supplies are depleted.

While the foregoing description has been directed primarily to a two-digit counter, it will be understood that the same principles can be applied to a device with three or more digits. All that is required to expand the counter of the above description is to provide additional frames similar to 11 or 11' with their associated parts, wire the switches 93 of the added frames into conductor 139 in series with the other switches 93, connect the solenoid 73 of each frame to the output tap 183 of the digit frame of next lower order and to main L connect the switch 81 of each frame between the output tap 183 of the digit frame of the next lower order and the switch 81 of the digit frame of the next higher order, if any, and provide a suitable drive for the clutch 29 of each of the added frames from motor 7 9.

In addition, the structure of the present counter is such that remote or automatic operation of count determination can be readily incorporated, for the push-button determinators are capable of being conveniently set by means of solenoids receiving their signals from any convenient source.

From the preceding description it can be seen that the present invention provides counter equipment of extreme adaptability and flexibility with convenient push-button count magnitude determination, flexibility of the time when count determination can be made relative to execution of a previously determined count, and with unusual mechanical and electrical simplicity contributing to low manufacturing cost and high standards of functional reliability.

While the forms of the invention shown and described herein are admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the forms disclosed herein, for the invention is susceptible of embodiment in other forms and variations. It will be understood, therefore, that the invention is claimed in any of its forms or modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the language employed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A predetermined counter comprising a rotor including a ratchet wheel rotatable in either a counting direction or a setting direction; an escapement lever coacting with said ratchet wheel for allowing the ratchet wheel when urged in the counting direction of rotor rotation to escape one tooth at a time as the escapement lever is tripped, or for ratcheting over the ratchet wheel teeth as the rotor rotates in the setting direction; means for tripping said escapement lever; a plurality of stops surrounding said rotor each movable between stopping and inert positions; a stop member on said rotor coactable with a stop when placed in stopping position to stop said rotor but only in the setting direction of rotor rotation; and

reversible motor means for selectively continuously urging said rotor in either counting or setting direction.

2. A predetermined counter comprising a rotor including a ratchet wheel rotatable in either a counting or a setting direction; an escapement lever coacting with said ratchet wheel for allowing the ratchet wheel when urged in the counting direction of rotor rotation to escape one tooth at a time as the escapement lever is tripped, or for ratcheting over the ratchet wheel teeth as the rotor rotates in the setting direction; means for tripping said escapement lever; a plurality of stops surrounding said rotor each movable between stopping and inert positions; a stop member on said rotor coactable with a stop when placed in stopping position to stop said rotor but only in the setting direction of rotor rotation; means including a reversible electric motor for selectively continuously urging said rotor in either counting or setting direction; switching means in the circuit of said motor for efiecting rotation in the selected direction to cause the counter either to count or to set.

3. A counter as defined in claim 2 in which the electric motor is connected to said rotor by a slip clutch.

4. A predetermined counter comprising a rotor including a ratchet wheel rotatable in either a counting direction or a setting direction; an escapement lever co- .acting with said ratchet wheel for allowing the ratchet wheel in the counting direction of rotor rotation to escape one tooth at a time as the escapement lever is tripped. or for ratcheting over the ratchet wheel teeth as the rotor rotates in the setting direction; means for tripping said esoapement lever; a plurality of push-button stops surrounding said rotor each movable axially between a pushed-in stopping position and an extended inert position; spring means urging each stop towards inert position; latch means for holding a stop in stopping position when depressed; and means providing interconnection between the latches [for the stops for causing release of any latched stop when another is depressed; a stop member on said rotor coactable with said stops to stop said rotor when the latter are in stopping position and only in the setting direction of rotor rotation; and reversible motor means for selectively continuously urging said rotor in either counting or setting direction.

5. A predetermined counter comprising a rotor including a ratchet wheel rotatable in either a counting direction or a setting direction; an escapement lever coacting with said ratchet wheel for allowing the ratchet wheel when urged in the counting direction of rotor rotation to escape one tooth at a time as the escapement lever is tripped, or for ratcheting over the ratchet wheel teeth as the rotor rotates in the setting direction; means (for tripping said escapement lever; a plurality of stops surrounding said rotor each movable between stopping and inert positions; a stop pawl pivoted on said rotor and spring urged to a [position where it is coactable with a stop when placed in stopping position to stop said rotor and arranged to ratchet over any such stop in the counting direction of rotor rotation; and reversible motor means for selectively continuously urging said rotor in either counting or setting direction.

6. A predetermined counter comprising a plurality of stops each manually movable be-tween a stop position and an inert position and each having a count value; movable counting means having two directions of motion past said stops, being settahle in one direction of motion of said means and operating to count in its other direction of motion; said counting means including a stop member coaetable with one of said stops when in stopping position to determine a set position of the counter, and arranged to lay-pass said stops regardless of their position when the counting means moves in the other direction to count, whereby a setting of said stop means can be effected for a new count without interferring with the execution of a previously set count lay the counting means.

7. A counter as defined in claim 6 in which means are provided for moving any of the stops in stop position to inert position whenever "another stop is actuated to stop position.

8. A plural digit predetermined counter comprising a plurality of digit assemblies of ascending order each comprising a rotor having a predetermined control position, said rotor including a ratchet wheel and being rotatable in either a counting direction or a setting direction, an escapement lever coacting with said ratchet wheel for allowing the ratchet wheel when urged in the counting direction of rotor rotation to escape one tooth at a time as the escapement lever is tripped, or for ratcheting over the ratchet wheel teeth as the rotor rotates in the setting direction, means including a solenoid for tripping said escapement lever, a plurality of stops surrounding said rotor each movable between stopping and inert positions, a stop member on said rotor coactable with a stop when placed in stopping position to stop said rotor but only in the setting direction of rotor rotation, and switch operating means effective to operate switches in control position of said rotor; and reversible motor means for continuously urging the rotors of said assemblies simultaneously in either 'a counting or a setting direction; electrical count circuit means including a switch .for activating the solenoid of the first digit assembly whenever an item is to be counted, and switch means each cooperating with the switch operating means of one of said assemblies and elfective to activate the solenoid of the next higher order digit assembly when operated; and electrical control circuit means including a plurality of switches in series each cooperable with the switch operating means of one of said assemblies to effect a control function when all of said rotors reach their said respective control positions simultaneously.

9. A plural digit predetermined counter comprising a plurality of digit assemblies of ascending order each comprising a rotor having a predeterined control position, said rotor including a ratchet wheel and being rotatable in either a counting direction or a setting direction, 'an escapement lever coacting with said ratchet wheel for allowing the ratchet wheel when urged in the counting direction of rotor rotation to escape one tooth at a times as the escapement lever is tripped, or for ratcheting over the ratchet wheel teeth as the rotor rotates in the setting direction, means for tripping said es capement lever, a plurality of elongate axially slidable push-button stops surrounding said rotor each movable between stopping and inert positions and each embodying an enlargement, spring means urging each stop towards inert position, a latch plate having a plurality of openings each receiving one of said stops and large enough to pass the corresponding enlargement, means for resiliently urging said latch plate laterally of the stops towards a latching position in which the margins of the plate adjacent each opening lie in the path of axial motion of the enlargements, each enlargement having a cam race for shifting the latch plate in a direction opposed to its direction of urging when the push button is depressed and having a shoulder at its opposite extremity adjacent which the latch plate can engage to latch the stop in depressed position against the force of said spring means, a stop member on said rotor coacta'ble with a stop when placed in stopping position to stop said rotor but only in the setting direction of rotor rotation, and switch operating means effective to operate switches in the control position of said rotor; and reversible motor means for continuously urging the rotors of said assemblies simultaneously in either a counting or a setting direction; electrical count circuit means including a switch for activating the solenoid of the first digit assembly whenever an item is to be counted, and switch means each cooperating with the switch operating means of one of said assemblies and elfective to activate the solenoid of the next higher order digit assembly when operated; and electrical control circuit means including a plurality of switches in series each cooperable with the switch operating means of one of said assemblies to effect a control function when all of said rotors reach their said respective control positions simultaneously.

10. A repetitive operation apparatus comprising means to perform a repetitive operation series; means to prepare the apparatus rfor a repetitive operation series; means to generate a preparation completed signal; and in combination therewith a counter having a plurality of manually settable numeral stops and a counting mechanism, means to move the counting mechanism into position for counting by setting it into abutment with selected ones of said stops and [for similarly resetting the counting mechanism into position for another count after a count has been completed without resetting said stops; means connecting said performing means with said couner to provide a counting opertion of said counter for each repetitive operation of said performing means; means responsive to the generation of a preparation completed signal for starting operation of said performing means and thereby simultaneously starting counting operation of said counting mechanism; and means responsive to completion of a count :for terminating the series of opera tions of said performing means, starting operation of said preparing means, and initiating operation of said counting mechanism setting and resetting means.

11. In combination in a counter, a plurality of count determining stops selectively settable to active positions to predetermine count values, or to inert positions; a rotatable member movable adjacent said stops to positions representing count values; a stop element on said movable member for coaction with a selected stop in its active position to predetenmine a starting position tor the counter; means to selectively move said movable member either in one direction of rotation by counting steps to pentorm a counting operation or in the opposite direction to carry the stop element towards and into abutment with a selected stop to set the counter.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,233,548 7/17 Bungay 74--334 1,403,182 1/22 Maturin 235-91.1 1,468,275 9/23 Briggs 235-132 1,822,031 9/31 Hofllmeister 235-62 2,527,661 10/50 Stack 235-144 2,577,663 12/51 Owens 235-1|33.5 2,712,642 7/55 Jennings 235-132 2,784,874 3/57 Harper 235-132 2,813,484 11/57 Pratt 101-444 2,916,988 12/59 Oragg 101- 144 2,984,413 5/61 Rehshaw et al. 235-92 3,070,298 12/62 Arnell et a1. 235-132 LEO SMILOW, Primary Examiner.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Examiner. 

1. A PREDETERMINED COUNTER COMPRISING A ROTOR INCLUDING A RATCHET WHEEL ROTABLE IN EITHER A COUNTING DIRECTION OR A SETTING DIRECTION; AN ESCAPEMENT LEVER COACTING WITH SAID RATCHET WHEEL FOR ALLOWING THE RATCHET WHEEL WHEN URGED IN THE COUNTING DIRECTION OF ROTOR ROTATION TO ESCAPE ONE TOOTH AT A TIME AS THE ESCAPEMENT LEVER IS TRIPPED, OR FOR RATCHETING OVER THE RATCHET WHEEL TEETH AS THE ROTOR ROTATES IN THE SETTING DIRECTION; MEANS FOR TRIPPING SAID ESCAPEMENT LEVER; A PLURALITY STOPS SURROUNDING SAID ROTOR EACH MOVABLE BETWEEN STOPPING AND INHERT POSITIONS; A STOP MEMBER ON SAID ROTOR COACTABLE WITH A STOP WHEN PLACED IN STOPPING POSITION TO STOP SAID ROTOR BUT ONLY IN THE SETTING DIRECTION OF ROTOR ROTATION; AND REVERSIBLE MOTOR MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONTINUOUSLY RUGING SAID ROTOR IN EITHER COUNTING OR SETTING DIRECTION.
 11. IN COMBINATION IN A COUNTER, A PLURALITY OF COUNT DETERMINING STOPS SELECTIVELY SETTABLE TO ACTIVE POSITIONS TO PREDETERMINE COUNT VALUES, OR TO INERT POSITIONS; A ROTABLE MEMBER MOVABLE ADJACENT SAIT STOPS TO POSITIONS REPRESENTING COUNT VALUES; A STOP ELEMENT ON SAID MOVABLE MEMBER FOR COACTION WITH A SELECTED STOP IN ITS ACTIVE POSITION TO PREDETERMINED A STARTING POSITION FOR THE COUNTER; MEANS TO SELECTIVELY MOVE SAID MOVABLE MEMBER EITHER IN ONE DIRECTION OF RATION BY COUNTING STEPS TO PERFORM A COUNTING OPERATING OR IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO CARRY THE STOP ELEMENT TOWARDS AND INTO ABUTMENT WITH A SELECTED STOP TO SET THE COUNTER. 